La Trenda lives with 4 dogs, all rescues who came to her with special needs. She spent 8 years volunteering and working for various shelters and rescues. She now spends most of her time going to dog training classes and studying training and behavior books to learn about better ways to connect with her dogs.

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Hiring a Trainer Part 4D – Private Trainer Answers

When asking a trainer about a behavioral issue, beware of any trainer who gives short answers.

Most behavior issues are multifaceted and issues normally can’t be fixed in an instant. Additionally, good trainers usually will ask a lot of questions before coming up with a comprehensive plan.

Example:

Question: My dog keeps marking in the house. What do I do?

Bad Trainer answer: It’s dominance; put a belly band on him.

Good Trainer response: What exactly do you mean by marking? How long has this been happening? Has the vet given your dog a clean bill of health? What techniques have you already tried? How old is your dog? How long has he lived with you? Are there other pets in the house? Have their been any changes in the home since this behavior started? etc..

After asking several questions a good trainer will them come up with a plan that involves helping the dog learn what the pet parents want from him or her – such as watching the dog at all times; rewarding the dog with treats and/or play and walks for eliminating properly outdoors; reducing stress in the household, using the right types of cleaners, etc..